Nigeria in the Global Economy

This paper provides a perspective on Nigeria’s global economic position and integration into the world economy. While other emerging market economies have benefited from globalization, there is concern that African countries continue to be marginalized. Among African countries, Nigeria is one of two major countries with strong potential to harness the opportunities and meet the challenges that the global economy could provide. Nigeria has the largest population in the continent and has been growing rapidly, due in part to gains from economic reforms and rising prices of oil. However, Nigeria’s integration into the global economy has been below potential. While it has improved its global rankings on indicators of competitiveness, business climate, and productivity in the past five years, it still ranks below most of its peer group on these indicators. It is among the poorest countries in the world in terms of social indicators despite oil wealth. Further integration into the global economy would require sustained policy reforms, improved governance, and public-private investments in social, human, and physical infrastructure. This paper is part of research on “The SANE as Africa’s Growth Poles: How Africa’s Big Four Could Power the Continent.” The SANE comprises South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, and Egypt.